MOUNT VERNON — Marin Clendaniel, Wiggin Street Elementary School, won top honors Saturday in Knox County’s 2017 Crunch Out Obesity program essay contest. As her prize, Marin chose a family membership for four to Hiawatha Water Park.
Micah Phillips of Fredericktown Elementary School won Honorable Mention. Micah will receive an individual membership to Hiawatha Water Park. Micah was the essay winner from Mrs. Gardiner’s class and the overall school winner.
“I’m very happy and, like, shocked,” said Marin. “I didn’t know what other people’s essays would be like.”
As county winner, she had her choice of a 24-inch bicycle from Y-Not Cycle, the family membership to Hiawatha water Park or a three-month family YMCA membership. Marin chose the water park prize because she and her sister like to swim.
The United Way coordinates Crunch Out Obesity, a six-week program that teaches fourth-graders about nutrition and physical activity. All Knox County schools participated as well as St. Vincent de Paul School.
The program is built around 5-2-1-0:
- 5 fruits and vegetables a day
- 2 hours or less of screen time a day
- 1 hour of physical activity daily
- 0 sugary drinks
During their phys ed class, the students learn how to use an exercise ball as a fitness tool. They also get to take a ball home to keep. The students track their exercise and nutrition activities in a journal and write an essay titled “How I Am Living Healthy.” Students who complete at least two weeks of daily journals are eligible to have their essay considered for the essay contest.
Marin styled her essay in the format of showing a new workout video titled 5-2-1-0, explaining what the numbers stand for, demonstrating some exercises, and then interviewing someone who followed the video (herself). “This program not only helped me be healthier but reminded me to check ingredients and watch what I eat. Also it taught me to be more active!”
Marin told KnoxPages.com that completing the six-week program not only helped her, but it also affected her family.
“We had to talk about what to eat for dinner because I had to watch what I was eating,” she explained, adding that she also exercised with her mom while her sister served as cheerleader.
“This is such a good, positive experience,” said her mom, Meredith. “It’s nicely laid out. The whole community is involved in something we need to work on. It’s nice to have something they could go from, a plan.”
In 2017, 652 students participated in the program in October and November.
“Since the pilot program started in 2013, I estimate that just over 2,800 children and their families have learned how to crunch out obesity with 5-2-1-0. That’s something to be really proud of,” said Lisa Rutter, program coordinator. “Although Crunch Out is coordinated by United Way, we could not do it without our community partners: Knox Community Hospital, the Knox County Health Department ad the YMCA of Mount Vernon. It really is a group effort bringing this all together.
“I can’t say enough about the partners, the schools and the kids.”
Kelly Brenneman, executive director for United Way Knox County, acknowledged the support of the students’ family throughout the program, from rearranging schedules to accommodating exercise time, from providing healthy food options and ensuring the children were well rested and ready for school.
“Those are all strategies of a healthy lifestyle,” she said. “We hope Crunch Out is now a part of your family’s day-to-day activities and routines.”
Each classroom winner receives two day passes to the YMCA. Overall school winners and their families receive a one-month YMCA family membership. Winners include:
- Fredericktown: Micah Phillips, overall school winner, and Ella Bouton, Kit Bellman and Caitlin Roddy.
- Danville: Jeffrey Cook, overall school winner, and Ruby Bartok.
- St. Vincent: Galen Ruphrecht, class winner and overall school winner.
- East Knox: Jaidyn Hawkins, overall school winner, and Zoey Parker and Kyson Miller.
- Centerburg: Alexa Johnson, overall school winner, and Laylah Sauers, Lilly Donabauer and Emma Shaw.
- Wiggin Street: Marin Clendaniel, overall school winner, and Sala Gordon.
- Columbia: Maddie Noble, overall school winner, and Jaedyn Bayless.
- East: Griffin Beach, overall school winner, and Kassie Eggert.
- Pleasant Street: Alexander Taylor, overall winner, and Kayley Murray and Stevie Munoz.
- Twin Oak: Lyla Davidson, overall school winner, and Marina Sinsel and Mason Chesnut.
- Dan Emmett: Madison Seng, overall school winner, and Ceanna Long and Jessilyn Stelts.
